HC Deb 31 July 1900 vol 87 cc226-7

As amended, considered.

A Clause (Composition of Board)—(Mr. G. W. Balfour)—brought up, and road the first time.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the clause be read a second time."

MR. MAURICE HEALY (Cork)

submitted that this was rather more than a mere drafting Amendment. Clause 4 required that the Board which was to exercise power under this Act should be a new one and not the old one, and the clause drawn by the right hon. Gentleman would not have the effect desired. It would be competent under this clause for the Lord Lieutenant to delay the nomination of the new members, and allow the old Board to exercise the powers under this Act.

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. G. W. BALFOUR,) Leeds, Central

admitted that that point had escaped him, and he undertook to put the clause in such a form as would meet the objection.

Clause read a second time, and added.

MR. MAURICE HEALY

said that when Clause 3 was before the Committee strong protests were raised against it. For the benefit of those who were not present on that occasion he might point out that that clause was of a most extraordinary character. In the administration of its office the Board acted quite independently of the Civil Service rule; the employees were not subjected to competitive examinations, and they were nominated on the strict understanding that they were not to have pensions, and their salaries were fixed on that basis. In the face of that, this clause was brought in providing for the pension of these persons, who were appointed by the mere favour of the ruling class in Ireland, quite irrespective of their qualification. If they were Civil servants they ought, in the ordinary course, to be pensioned out of English funds, but in this case it was proposed to pay these pensions out of a purely Irish fund.

Amendment proposed to the Bill— In page 2, line 8, after the word 'Board,' to insert the words 'on the condition and.' "—(Mr. Maurice Healy.)

Question proposed, "That those words be there inserted."

MR. G. W. BALFOUR

said he could not accept the Amendment.

Question put, and negatived.

Amendments made.